"If our Lord continues as he has," Percival responded idly, "then he deserves his destruction." Not many could get away with saying it, but he wasn't most people. The fact was that Zaul'Nazh had been behaving selfishly and callously and not thinking about what was best for his people. He took his most loyal servants for granted and he was frankly disgusting. The things he said about Leiland were more upsetting than he liked to admit. Leiland did so much and deserved so much better than the way he was treated.
Someone's got a crush, a voice at the back of his mind, uncannily like Vax's, singsonged. He resolutely ignored it. He could appreciate Leiliand's competence and loyalty without it being anything like that.
"You're free to disagree, of course," he said, "but we all know he's been thinking with his dick. I've said as much to Zaul'Nazh's face, so don't be too surprised I'm saying it now. He's mismanaging his resources and behaving foolishly." He sighed. "But no. This has nothing to do with Maggie and everything to do with Gogmawth wanting to flex his power against me. A foolish choice, which is why I reminded him that I'm not someone to be trifled with." If it came down to it, he would simply end Gogmawth before he could be too much of a problem. It wouldn't be the first time he ended a demon lord.
"You're more reliable than you give yourself credit for," he said. It was frustrating how little Leiland recognized his own good qualities. "You're letting our Lord get in your head. You do your job and do it well, but then he says something stupid and you let it get to you. Just have faith in yourself. The Vinguri love you and follow you loyally. They wouldn't if you weren't good at what you do."